Design Development Services

The AEC Associates provides design development services in CAD and BIM for architecture and interior design firms who need detailed, coordinated drawing sets developed through the Design Development (DD) phase. We take approved schematic designs and produce the dimensioned floor plans, elevations, sections, material specifications, and coordinated system layouts that constitute a complete DD set — ready for client approval, cost estimation, or handoff to construction documentation. 

Our team supports the full project lifecycle — from Schematic Design through Design Development into Construction Documents — so the same team that builds your DD set understands the design intent from the start and can carry it forward without a handoff gap.

5000+

Projects Worldwide

250+

Clients Globally

300+

Team Members

99%

Client Retention Rate

Design Development Drawings We Produce

Architectural DD Drawings

Fully dimensioned floor plans at all levels with room names, areas, and door/window schedules
Exterior elevations — all four sides — with material designations, window types, and facade assemblies
Building sections and wall sections showing assembly, insulation, and structural integration
Reflected ceiling plans (RCPs) with ceiling heights, materials, and light fixture locations
Door and window schedules with type, size, frame, and hardware specification
Room finish schedules with material types, finishes, and manufacturer references
Stair sections and details with handrail and guardrail specifications
Site plan at DD level with grading, access, landscaping zones, and site elements

Interior Design DD Drawings

Interior elevations of all key rooms showing material zones, joinery, casework, and built-ins
Millwork and casework details at DD level with material and finish direction
FF&E layout plans developed from SD furniture concepts into specified product layouts
Kitchen and bathroom DD layouts with fixture selection and material finishes
Interior material and finish schedules coordinated with architectural finish schedule
Reflected ceiling plan concepts developed to show ceiling material zones, coffers, and lighting layout

MEP Coordination at DD Phase

MEP overlay plans showing duct routing, piping zones, electrical panel locations, and service risers coordinated against architectural layout
Equipment room layouts with clearance zones for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment
Lighting layout development coordinated with RCP and electrical distribution
Fire protection and sprinkler zone plans where required by project scope

Structural Coordination at DD Phase

Structural framing layouts coordinated with architectural floor plans at DD level
Column grid and beam positions confirmed and dimensioned against architectural layout
Slab edge conditions and structural opening positions coordinated with architecture
Load-bearing wall and shear wall positions confirmed in plan and section

Presentation & Approval Outputs

DD presentation drawing sets formatted for owner review and approval
Updated 3D model or rendering from the DD model for client sign-off
Preliminary specification sections (outline specifications) listing materials and systems
Updated cost estimation drawings with sufficient detail for quantity takeoff

The Design Development Phase in the Project Lifecycle

Design development is the second formal phase of a construction project, sitting between Schematic Design (SD) and Construction Documents (CD). It converts approved schematic layouts into detailed, dimensioned, and coordinated drawings that define the technical character of a building — materials, assemblies, system routing, and structural integration — before full construction documentation begins.

Phase	What It Produces
Schematic Design (SD)	Preliminary floor plans, exterior elevations, site plan, and client presentation set establishing layout and character
Design Development (DD)	Dimensioned, coordinated drawing set with materials, assemblies, MEP routing, structural integration, and system layouts confirmed for client approval and cost estimation
Construction Documents (CD)	Full permit and construction drawing set with specifications, schedules, and details ready for contractor bidding and regulatory approval

How the DD Phase Differs From Schematic Design

SD drawings establish “what and where” at a broad level — overall layout, massing, and spatial relationships. DD refines those decisions into “how and with what” — confirmed dimensions, material selections, wall assemblies, MEP system zones, structural coordination, and technical details that contractors and consultants can price and plan from. SD drawings are typically to scale but not fully dimensioned. DD drawings are fully dimensioned, material-specified, and coordinated across disciplines. The transition from SD to DD is where design intent becomes a buildable, costed proposal.

Level of Development (LOD) in the DD Phase

Design development drawings typically span LOD 200 (early DD) through LOD 300–350 (complete DD), as follows:

LOD	Where It Appears in the DD Phase
LOD 200	Early DD — approximate geometry refined from SD, general system zones established, not yet fully dimensioned
LOD 300	Core DD deliverable — accurate geometry, confirmed dimensions, material selections, and coordinated system locations. Standard for owner approval and cost estimation
LOD 350	End of DD / transition to CD — interfacing information between systems included, multi-trade coordination ready, used for detailed cost estimating and contractor engagement

How How We Build Design Development Sets

We start from your approved SD drawings or schematic model and develop them into fully dimensioned DD drawings without rebuilding from scratch.

We coordinate architectural, structural, and MEP disciplines through the DD phase, identifying and resolving conflicts before they reach construction documents or the field.

We develop wall assemblies, material selections, and system layouts alongside the drawing set, so the DD package reflects both the spatial decisions and the technical character of the building.

We prepare DD presentation drawing sheets formatted for owner review, regulatory pre-application, or contractor early engagement.

We produce outline specifications alongside the DD drawing set where required, listing materials and systems confirmed at DD stage.

Who We Build Schematic Design Packages For

Architecture Firms — DD production support taking approved schematics through to a complete, coordinated DD set, freeing your design team to focus on design decisions rather than drawing volume.
Interior Design Firms — interior DD drawings elevations, millwork, FF&E layouts, finish schedules developed alongside the architectural DD set and coordinated with it.
Developers & Property Owners — DD packages developed to the level required for cost estimating, contractor early engagement, and planning applications.
Design-Build & Construction Firms — coordinated DD drawings with structural and MEP system zones confirmed, enabling accurate early pricing and procurement planning.
Structural & MEP Engineers — DD coordination drawings that integrate structural framing, MEP routing, and architectural layout without conflicts before construction documentation begins.

Software and Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Navisworks

Industries we serve

Hospitality

Commercial

Healthcare

Educational

Industrial

Retail

Cultural

Residential

Corporate

What You Can Expect From Every DD Package

Dimensioned drawing set delivered clean, with no unresolved coordination issues.
Architectural, structural, and MEP systems coordinated before delivery — not left for the CD phase to resolve
Material selections and finish schedules consistent across architectural, interior, and MEP drawing sets
Files delivered in your required format and Revit/AutoCAD version
Presentation sheets formatted for your owner review and approval process
Clear handoff documentation if the set is continuing into CD with your in-house team

Quality Review Process

Every design development package goes through our internal quality system before delivery:

Dimensional and coordination check against the approved SD drawings and design intent

Cross-discipline coordination check — architectural, structural, MEP, and interior drawings cross-referenced

Final review against the agreed DD scope before handoff

This process runs inside the same ISO 9001 and ISO 19650-1 certified quality management system used across all CAD and BIM services at The AEC Associates.

1: Self Check: First check done by the individual against coordination and standards.

2: Peer Review: Next QC executed by peers/team members

3: Supervisory Check: QC by the Project Manager broadly reviewing graphics and technicalities.

Our QA/QC Checklist

Design Scope Checklist

Production Checklist

Design Coordination Checklist

Quality Review Checklist

Delivery Checklist

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"We are submitting at 100%, and want to thank you and your team for the great work, it was a pleasure working with you. Very pleased with the outcome."

Project Manager, Leading Architectural Firm in Norfolk, VA

“Exceptional service. I found The AEC Associates to be very responsible firm worth trusting. Top service which helped us meet our tight deadlines.”

Principal, Architectural firm in the Bay Area, CA

“Our Project team is very pleased with the final documents for the project. Given the condition of the backgrounds we provided you guys did a great job.”

Project Manager, Leading Architectural Firm in Columbus

“I can recommend The AEC Associates as a firm with an experienced and motivated team which is keen to delight their clients. They are fantastic to work with.”

Project Manager, Leading Construction Company in Phoenix, AZ

"The AEC Associates team effectively communicated our design intent, addressed changes and critiques, and provided detailed work, enabling us to deliver renderings that helped secure a high-profile project."

Interior Architect at a well-known Interior Design Firm in San Francisco, CA

"AEC offered drafting assistance for a variety of project, from small commercial & large-scale museums to international retailers. They delivered base models, CD formatting, & base AutoCAD drawings with responsiveness."

Architect, Major Architectural Firm in Chicago, Illinois

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the design development phase in architecture? ›

Design development (DD) is the second formal phase of an architectural project. It converts approved schematic design layouts into detailed, dimensioned drawing sets — specifying materials, wall assemblies, MEP system zones, structural coordination, and building performance — to a level that supports owner approval, cost estimation, and contractor early engagement.

What deliverables does a DD package include? ›

A typical DD package includes fully dimensioned floor plans, exterior elevations with material designations, building sections, reflected ceiling plans, door and window schedules, room finish schedules, MEP overlay coordination plans, structural framing layouts, and interior elevations for key rooms.

What’s the difference between design development and schematic design? ›

Schematic design (SD) establishes the overall layout, massing, and spatial relationships at a broad level. Design development (DD) refines those decisions with confirmed dimensions, material selections, system routing, and cross-discipline coordination. SD drawings are to scale but not fully dimensioned; DD drawings are dimensioned, material-specified, and coordinated enough to cost and plan from.

What’s the difference between design development and construction documents? ›

DD drawings confirm the design intent and technical character at a level that supports owner approval and cost estimation. Construction documents (CDs) are the full permit and build set — fully detailed, specified, and code-compliant drawings contractors build from. DD comes before CD; it’s the phase where final decisions are locked in before full documentation begins.

What LOD do design development drawings typically reach? ›

DD drawings typically span LOD 200 (early DD) through LOD 300–350 (complete DD). LOD 300 is the standard deliverable for owner approval and cost estimation. LOD 350 is reached at the end of DD / transition to CD, when interfacing information between systems is confirmed for multi-trade coordination.

Can you start DD from our approved SD drawings? ›

Yes. We start from your approved SD drawings or schematic model and develop them into a complete DD set without rebuilding from scratch. This is the standard workflow.

Do you coordinate structural and MEP systems during the DD phase? ›

Yes. We coordinate architectural, structural, and MEP disciplines through the DD phase using Navisworks, resolving conflicts before they reach construction documents or the field.

Can you continue from DD into construction documents? ›

Yes. The AEC Associates supports the full project lifecycle from SD through DD and into CD. The same team that builds your DD set can continue into construction documentation, eliminating the knowledge gap that comes from handing off to a different production team mid-project.

What sectors do you support for design development? ›

Residential, commercial, workplace/office, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and educational projects.

Connect with us for Design Development Services

Get a quote for your design development project. Send us your approved SD drawings, project brief, and scope and we’ll confirm deliverables, LOD, and turnaround.